CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Interstat) — A pair of Southland Conference teams trending in opposite directions will meet Friday when the McNeese State Cowboys visit the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders.

First pitch is set for Friday evening at Chapman Field.

The Cowboys (18-17) enter the series having won four of their last five, including a 7-3 victory over Grambling on Tuesday. McNeese State took two of three from Incarnate Word last weekend.

The Islanders (16-21) have lost three straight, most recently a 14-7 defeat at Texas on Tuesday where they surrendered a six-run lead.

A key matchup will feature McNeese State reliever Jaden Bahl against Corpus Christi’s power-hitting third baseman Jarrett Flaggert.

Bahl has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen, not allowing an earned run in seven of his last nine appearances. Over his last four outings, spanning 7 2/3 innings, he has surrendered just two hits and one run while striking out 11.

Flaggert, however, poses a significant threat. He is in the midst of a power surge, blasting four home runs and driving in 12 runs over his last four games. He went 4 for 5 with a homer and four RBIs in the loss to Texas.

In their last series, the Cowboys saw production from Hayden Stringfellow and Isaiah Keller, who each drove in two runs against Grambling. The Islanders’ Matthew Molina and Luke Robertson provided scoreless relief in the midweek loss.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projection favors the Cowboys with a predicted final score of 7-4.

The teams will continue the three-game series Saturday and Sunday in Corpus Christi.